Buoyancy device

ABSTRACT

A buoyancy device comprises a flotation body designed to give the buoyancy device sufficient buoyancy to act as a life buoy for people to hold onto in the water during an emergency. The buoyancy device includes a storage compartment provided in connection with the flotation body for housing rescue equipment or safety equipment. The storage compartment of this embodiment takes the form of a tray. The tray is provided with a lid which is used to cover the tray and maintain the contents securely inside. The lid is preferably coupled to the tray by a tether. The tray is provided with a web of flexible material which forms a satchel with several pockets of various sizes, for storing a variety of safety devices, including flares, EPIRB, etc. The satchel can be rolled-up and stowed in the tray ready for use in an emergency situation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a buoyancy device for use as a rescuedevice on watercraft such as recreational and commercial boats.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The use of watercraft including boats for leisure, recreational andcommercial activities has increased in popularity, in particular incoastal areas. This has led to overcrowding of watercraft in popularmarine areas with the result that boat owners have had to venturefurther out to sea to avoid congestion in waters close to the land.

The movement of boats to areas of the sea further from land has meantthat there is an increased risk of an emergency situation arising. Manyinexperienced boat owners are unaware of the dangers of the ocean atthese greater distances from land, which has increased the risk of atragedy occurring. In addition the incidence of persons reported missingat sea following the capsizing of their boat has also increased.

The prompt rescue of a person stranded in water, for example as a resultof a boat capsizing, is critical to their chances of survival. Ingeneral, in sea conditions with water temperatures of about 20-23° C.the core body temperature of a person drops rapidly to about 26° C.Below this temperature the loss of all body functions will occur withinabout 30 minutes, and hence a person in the water has about 4 to 10hours before their chances of survival are greatly reduced.

Marine safety laws vary nationally and internationally but it is ageneral requirement that vessels travelling further than 2 kilometresoffshore are required to have certain minimum safety equipment on board.This equipment usually includes an “Emergency Position Indicating RadioBeacon” (EPIRB), flares, a marine radio, an anchor and rope, and lifejackets. In addition, life buoys, life rafts and life slings are alsooften required on board marine vessels.

There is a tendency for boat owners to comply with only the minimumsafety requirements. Furthermore, the equipment is often located indifferent positions on the boat and is frequently misplaced and notreadily available when required.

Thus, there is a need to provide a rescue device for use on a watercraftthat is easy to store, quick to locate, and easy to use in the case ofan emergency. There is also a need to have emergency equipment, inparticular an EPIRB and flares, readily available and accessible in theevent of an emergency.

The present invention was developed with a view to providing a buoyancydevice that goes some way toward meeting this need.

The previous discussion of the background to the invention is providedfor illustrative purposes only and is not to be taken as anacknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is orwas part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere as atthe priority date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided abuoyancy device for use as a rescue device in water, the buoyancy devicecomprising:

a flotation body designed to give the buoyancy device sufficientbuoyancy to act as a life buoy for people to hold onto in the waterduring an emergency; and,a storage compartment provided in connection with the flotation body forhousing rescue equipment.

Preferably the flotation body comprises a first section and a secondsection, the first and second sections being respectively manufacturedfrom moulded plastics components of substantially identical shape andconfiguration. Preferably each of the first and second sectionscomprises an outer shell with a foam insert. Preferably the outer shellcomprises first and second halves which are joined together to encasethe foam insert. Advantageously the first and second halves of the outershell are substantially identical in shape and configuration and may bemanufactured using the same injection mould. Preferably the outer shellis manufactured from injection moulded nylon, and the foam insert ismanufactured from a moulded closed-cell polystyrene foam.

In one embodiment the first and second sections are movable with respectto each other between a contracted and an expanded condition. In thisembodiment the storage compartment is located within the flotation bodyand is accessed by moving the first and second sections apart to theexpanded condition. In another embodiment the storage compartment islocated within the flotation body and is accessed by removing a lidcovering the storage compartment. Preferably the lid is coupled to theflotation body by a tether so that, in use, when lid is removed it doesnot float away.

The storage compartment is preferably centrally located within theflotation body. In use, this allows easy access to the storagecompartment from any position around the outer edge of the flotationbody by people holding onto the buoyancy device. Preferably the storagecompartment is in the form of a rectangular tray which is received in acavity formed within the first and second sections of the flotationbody. Alternatively the storage compartment may be in the form of a bagsuch as a flexible bag provided with cushioning of waterproof material.

Preferably the tray is provided with a web of flexible material whichhas several pockets of various sizes provided in connection therewith,for storing a variety of safety devices. Advantageously the web ofmaterial forms a satchel which can be rolled-up and stowed in the trayready for use in an emergency situation. Preferably a handle is providedon the back of the web to facilitate quick release of the satchel whenthe contents need to be deployed. Preferably the flexible material fromwhich the satchel is made is a waterproof plastics material and includesa layer of cushioning material to cushion the contents of the satchelprior to deployment.

Preferably the buoyancy device further comprises a built-in strobe lightfor attracting attention in the event of an emergency. Preferably thestrobe light is mounted in the storage compartment, together with itsown battery, so that it becomes visible when the lid is removed.Advantageously the strobe light is spring-mounted in the storagecompartment and when the lid is removed it automatically pops-up.

Preferably the flotation body further comprises a plurality of handgrips to allow one or more people to hold onto the buoyancy device forrescue purposes when the buoyancy device is in the water. Advantageouslythe hand grips may also be used for storing the buoyancy device on asupport bracket provided onboard a watercraft and for handling thebuoyancy device when throwing it from the watercraft into the water.

The hand grips may comprise one or more handles spaced about an outeredge of the flotation body. The handles may be formed integral to theflotation body or they may be formed as separate components and attachedto the body by suitable fastening means. Preferably there are fourhandles arranged at intervals around the outer edge of the flotationbody. Typically the buoyancy device is of generally rectangular shape,and the handles may be positioned on two opposed sides of the flotationbody. Advantageously two handles are provided on opposed sides of eachof the first and second sections of the flotation body respectively.

In one embodiment the handles are provided with two extensions whichjoin the handles on the respective first and second sections of theflotation body in its expanded condition. In a preferred embodiment thehandle extensions are cylindrical in shape and are slidably receivedwithin a hollow interior of the handles in the contracted condition suchthat in its expanded condition more people can hold onto the buoyancydevice when in the water.

Typically the safety equipment that may be housed in the storagecompartment includes an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon(EPIRB), flares and emergency lighting such as a strobe.

Furthermore, the flotation body may be of a bright colour such as orangeor yellow which is clearly visible in the water. In addition, theflotation body may be provided with reflectors for improved visibilityat night.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, theword “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, willbe understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group ofintegers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group ofintegers. Likewise the word “preferably” or variations such as“preferred”, will be understood to imply that a stated integer or groupof integers is desirable but not essential to the working of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments of a buoyancy device,given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of the buoyancydevice according to the present invention in a contracted condition;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 in anexpanded condition;

FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 maybe stored onboard a watercraft;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 in itscontracted condition with a top half removed;

FIG. 6( a) is a top plan view of the buoyancy device as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6( b) is an enlarged section view of part of the buoyancy deviceshown in FIG. 6( a) showing how a handle extension is slidably receivedwithin the handles;

FIG. 7( a) is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 1 inits expanded condition with a top half removed;

FIG. 7( b) is an enlarged section view of part of the buoyancy deviceshown in FIG. 7( a) showing how a storage compartment is slidably heldwithin the buoyancy device;

FIG. 7 (c) is a top plan view of the buoyancy device as shown in FIG. 7(a);

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the buoyancydevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 withthe lid of the storage compartment removed;

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the manner in which safety equipment storedin the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 may be removed from the storagecompartment;

FIG. 12 is a section view through the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 with thelid of the storage compartment in place;

FIG. 13 is a section view through the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 with thelid of the storage compartment removed;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 witha top half removed;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 withthe lid removed;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 witha top half of the shell removed and a tray of the storage compartmentremoved;

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8 witha top half removed and foam inserts in place;

FIGS. 19( a) and 19(b) are a side elevation and section viewrespectively through the line A-A of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8; and,

FIGS. 20( a) and 20 (b) are an end elevation and section viewrespectively through the line A-A of the buoyancy device of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of a buoyancy device 10 in accordance with theinvention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, comprises aflotation body 12 designed to give the buoyancy device 10 sufficientbuoyancy to act as a life buoy for people to hold onto in the waterduring an emergency.

The buoyancy device 10 further comprises a storage compartment 14provided in connection with the flotation body 12 for housing rescueequipment or safety equipment (not shown). The storage compartment 14 ofthis embodiment takes the form of a tray 15. The tray 15 has a volume ofapproximately 6 litres. Typically the safety equipment that may behoused in the tray 15 includes an Emergency Position Indicating RadioBeacon (EPIRB), flares and emergency lighting such as a strobe. Thus itcan be seen that the buoyancy device 10 of the present invention can beused on boats and other watercraft such as yachts and ships.

Because the buoyancy device 10 is buoyant it may be thrown into thewater in an emergency situation and will float. In an onboard emergency,passengers on the watercraft may jump into the water and hold onto thebuoyancy device 10 and deploy the rescue equipment or safety equipmentwhile awaiting rescue.

The buoyancy device 10 has the further benefit that all of the requiredsafety equipment or rescue equipment is located in the tray 15 of thebuoyancy device 10 so that time is not lost, or lives endangered, whilelooking for such equipment on the boat. The buoyancy device 10 may alsohave extra features such as flare scratch pads to allow flares removedfrom the tray 15 to be ignited with a minimum time delay.

The flotation body 12 of the buoyancy device 10 preferably comprises afirst section 12 a and a second section 12 b, the first and secondsections 12 a and 12 b being movable with respect to each other betweena contracted and an expanded condition. FIG. 1 shows the flotation body12 in its contracted condition, and FIG. 2 shows the flotation body 12in its expanded condition. The tray 15 is located within the flotationbody 12 and is accessed by moving the first and second sections 12 a and12 b apart to the expanded condition.

The tray 15 is preferably centrally located within the flotation body12. In use, this allows easy access to the tray 15 from any positionaround the outer edge of the flotation body 12 by people holding ontothe buoyancy device 10. Preferably the tray 15 is slidably receivedwithin a cavity 16 formed within the first and second sections 12 a and12 b of the flotation body 12, as can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 4and 7( a). This arrangement will be described in more detail below.

The flotation body 12 further comprises a plurality of hand grips 17 toallow one or more people to hold onto the buoyancy device 10 for rescuepurposes when the buoyancy device 10 is in the water. In the embodiment,the hand grips 17 are shown as one or more handles 18 spaced about anouter edge of the flotation body 12. Advantageously the handles 18 mayalso be used for storing the buoyancy device 10 on a support bracket 20provided onboard a watercraft and for handling the buoyancy device 10when throwing it from the watercraft into the water. FIG. 3 illustratesa support bracket 20 that may be fastened to a wall of the watercraft(not shown). The support bracket 20 has two arms 21 which are receivedthrough the apertures 23 in the buoyancy device 10 between the handles18 and the bulk of the flotation body 12.

In this embodiment the handles 18 are closed loop and formed integral tothe flotation body 12. However they may also be formed as separatecomponents and attached to the body by suitable fastening means (notshown in the drawings). There are four handles 18 arranged at intervalsaround the outer edge of the flotation body 12 for easy gripping and forattachment of rope and accessories as required. The illustrated buoyancydevice 10 is of generally rectangular shape, and the handles 18 aredisposed in pairs on two opposed sides of the flotation body 12. Howeverit will be appreciated that the buoyancy device 10 may be of anysuitable shape, for example, circular, elliptical or oval shape.Advantageously two handles 18 are provided on each of the first andsecond sections 12 a and 12 b of the flotation body 12 respectively (ascan best be seen in FIG. 2).

Preferably the handles 18 are provided with two handle extensions 22which join the handles 18 on the respective first and second sections 12a and 12 b of the flotation body 12 in its expanded condition, as can beseen most clearly in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8. In the illustratedembodiment the handle extensions 22 are cylindrical in shape and areslidably received within a hollow interior of the handles 18 in thecontracted condition. In the expanded condition of the buoyancy device10, the handle extensions 22 effectively extend the length of thehandles 18 to provide additional space for people to get a hand grip onthe buoyancy device 10.

Each handle extension 22 is formed with first and second slots 24 a and24 b. Each handle 18 is formed with a boss 26 a in which a screwfastener 28 is received to engage with a matching boss 26 b, as shown inFIG. 6( b). Each pair of matching bosses 26 a and 26 b is slidablyreceived in one of the slots 24 a or 24 b. Because the bosses 26 a and26 b are located adjacent an inner edge of the respective first andsecond sections 12 a and 12 b of the flotation body, they define theoutermost limits of the sliding movement of the two sections 12 a and 12b to their expanded condition. The bosses 26 a and 26 b in slots 24 aand 24 b also help to keep the two sections 12 a and 12 b correctlyaligned and straight during sliding movement between their contractedand expanded conditions.

The tray 15 also helps to keep the two sections 12 a and 12 b correctlyaligned and straight during their sliding movement. The tray 15 ispreferably of elongate rectangular configuration, formed with two endpanels 44, two side panels 46 and a base 48, as best seen in FIG. 4.Each side panel 46 of the tray 15 is preferably provided with top andbottom sliding edges 30 as can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 7(b). The sliding edges 30 are slidably received in matching channels 32provided on each side and at the top and bottom of the cavity 16 withinthe flotation body 12 (see FIG. 4). Advantageously the sliding edges 30are provided with a small projecting portion 34 at each end which isdesigned to abut against a stop 36 provided at the inner end of eachmatching channel 32 (see FIG. 7( b)). The projecting portions 34 engagewith the stops to prevent the tray 15 from becoming accidentallyseparated from the flotation body 12, and also to help prevent the twosections 12 a and 12 b of the flotation body 12 from coming apart.

Advantageously the first and second sections 12 a and 12 b of theflotation body 12 are respectively manufactured from moulded plasticscomponents of substantially identical shape and configuration. As can beseen most clearly in FIG. 4, each of the first and second sections 12 aand 12 b comprises an outer shell 40 with a foam insert 42. Preferablythe first outer shell 40 a comprises first and second shell halves 40 a′and 40 a″ which are joined together to encase a foam insert 42 a.Likewise the second outer shell 40 b comprises first and second shellhalves 40 b′ and 40 b″ which are joined together to encase a foam insert42 b. Advantageously the first and second halves 40 a′, 40 a″ and 40 b′,40 b″ of the respective outer shells 40 a and 40 b are all substantiallyidentical in shape and configuration. Hence all four halves of the twoshells 40 a and 40 b may be manufactured using the same injection mould,which leads to a substantial reduction in manufacturing and assemblycosts.

The two halves of each outer shell 40 (namely 40 a′ and 40 a″, and 40 b′and 40 b″) and are held together in the assembled condition by aplurality of screw fasteners 56 as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively someother means of fastening may be employed, such as plastics welding.Before the two halves of each shell are joined together, it is necessaryto insert the tray 15 and the handle extensions 22 as these are bothheld in place, in connection with the two sections 12 a and 12 b of theflotation body, by the two shells 40 a and 40 b.

In this embodiment the outer shell 40 is manufactured from injectionmoulded nylon, and the foam insert 42 is manufactured from mouldedclosed-cell polystyrene foam. Nylon 6 is preferred because of its highstrength and resilience. Furthermore, the flotation body 12 may be of abright colour such as orange or yellow which is clearly visible in thewater. The external surface of the flotation body 12 has a large surfacearea for various safety markings and operating instructions. Inaddition, the flotation body 12 may be provided with reflectors forimproved visibility at night.

In its fully assembled and contracted condition the two halves of theflotation body 12 are preferably held together by a locking strap 50. Ascan be seen most clearly in FIG. 4, the strap 50 passes right around theflotation body 12, through narrow apertures 52 provided in both sections12 a and 12 b of the flotation body 12. The locking strap 50 ispreferably provided with a stainless steel buckle 54 and with hook andloop fastener material, such as “Velcro” (a registered trade mark), forsecuring the strap 50 around the body 12. The strap 50 can be rapidlyreleased by manually pulling the hook and loop fastener material apart.This allows the two sections of the flotation body 12 to be slid openmanually to expose the interior of the tray 15.

A tow ring 60 (40 mm diameter) may be provided at each end of theflotation body 12 for attachment of ropes and karabiners to the buoyancydevice 10. In its fully contracted condition the buoyancy device 10 isapproximately 560 mm in length. It is approximately 400 mm wide and 140mm in thickness. In its fully expanded condition the buoyancy device 10is approximately 960 mm in length (almost a meter).

A second embodiment of the buoyancy device 70 in accordance with theinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 20 of the accompanying drawings.The buoyancy device 70 is similar to the first embodiment and comprisesa flotation body 72 designed to give the buoyancy device 70 sufficientbuoyancy to act as a life buoy for people to hold onto in the waterduring an emergency. The buoyancy device 70 further comprises a storagecompartment 74 provided in connection with the flotation body 72 forhousing rescue equipment or safety equipment (see FIGS. 10 and 11). Thestorage compartment 74 of this embodiment takes the form of a tray 76.Alternatively the storage compartment 74 could be in other forms such asa bag for example a flexible bag with cushioning made from a waterproofmaterial.

The tray 76 has a volume of approximately 6 litres. The tray 76 isprovided with a lid 78 which is used to cover the tray and maintain thecontents securely inside. The lid 78 is preferably coupled to the tray76 by a tether 79 so that, in use, when lid 78 is removed it does notfloat away. The tray 76 is preferably centrally located within theflotation body 72. In use, this allows easy access to the tray 76 fromany position around the outer edge of the flotation body 72 by peopleholding onto the buoyancy device 70.

Preferably a strip of hook and loop fastener material is provided aroundthe top lip 86 of the tray 76, and matching hook and loop fastenermaterial is provided around the periphery of the lid 78, so that whenthe lid is placed on top of the tray 76 it is held securely in place onthe tray. At each end of the lid 78 there is provided a finger grip 88and a recess to permit a user's fingers to be inserted under the fingergrip 88 to lift the lid off the tray 76.

The buoyancy device 70 may be used in a similar manner to the firstembodiment and provides similar advantages. One difference in thebuoyancy device 70 is the provision of a built-in strobe light 80.Preferably the strobe light 80 is mounted in the storage compartment,together with its own battery, so that it becomes visible when the lidis removed. The strobe light 80 is spring-mounted in the tray 76. Thestrobe light 80 is slidably mounted in its own light housing 82. Thestrobe light 80 is spring-mounted in the light housing 82 via coilspring 84, as can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 12 and 13, so that whenthe lid is removed it automatically pops-up above the height of the tray76. Typically the strobe light 80 is fitted with a conductivity switchso that when it is exposed to water it automatically switches on.

As with the first embodiment, the flotation body 72 of the buoyancydevice 70 preferably comprises a first section 72 a and a second section72 b (see FIG. 19( a)). However, unlike the first embodiment, the firstand second sections 72 a and 72 b are not movable with respect to eachother. Advantageously the first and second sections 72 a and 72 b of theflotation body 72 are respectively manufactured from moulded plasticscomponents of substantially identical shape and configuration.

As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 14, each of the first and secondsections 72 a and 72 b comprises an outer shell 90 with a foam insert92. The first outer shell 90 a comprises first and second shell halves90 a′ and 90 a″ which are joined together to encase a foam insert 92 a.Likewise the second outer shell 90 b comprises first and second shellhalves 90 b′ and 90 b″ which are joined together to encase a foam insert92 b. The first and second halves 90 a′, 90 a″ and 90 b′, 90 b″ of therespective outer shells 90 a and 90 b are all substantially similar inshape and configuration. Hence all four halves of the two shells 90 aand 90 b may be manufactured using the same injection mould with insertsto provide a component with an opening as seen in 90 a″ and a componentthat is closed as seen in 90 a′. 90 a′ and 90 b′ are identical, and 90a″ and 90 b″ are identical, which leads to a substantial reduction inmanufacturing and assembly costs.

During assembly respective first shell halves 90 a′ and 90 b′ arecoupled together end to end, as shown in FIG. 17. Each shell half 90 a′and 90 a″, 90 b′ and 90 b″, is formed with a flange 98 and asemi-circular lip 100 which engages with the flange 98 of its matchingshell half, in the region of the handles 110. Two H-shaped structuralmembers 102 are also provided to provide additional strength andrigidity for the flotation body 72. The structural members 102 arereceived on either side of the flotation body 72, between the handles110 and the foam inserts 92, as shown in FIG. 18. Then the respectivesecond shell halves 90 a″ and 90 b″ are coupled together end to end andplaced on top of the first shell halves 90 a′ and 90 b.

The two halves of each outer shell 90 (namely 90 a′ and 90 b′, and 90 a″and 90 b″) and are held together in the assembled condition by aplurality of screw fasteners 96 as shown in FIG. 14. Alternatively someother means of fastening may be employed, such as plastics welding orclips. After the two halves of each shell are joined together, the tray76 may be inserted in the central cavity formed between the foam inserts92, as shown in FIG. 16.

In this embodiment the outer shell 90 is manufactured from injectionmoulded nylon, and the foam insert 92 is manufactured from mouldedclosed-cell foam such as polystyrene foam.

The tray 76 is provided with a web of flexible material 104 which hasseveral pockets of various sizes provided in connection therewith, forstoring a variety of safety devices, including flares 106, EPIRB 108,etc as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The web of material 104 forms a satchelwhich can be rolled-up and stowed in the tray 76 ready for use in anemergency situation, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 19( b). A handle 105 isprovided on the back of the web 104 to facilitate quick release of thesatchel when the contents need to be deployed. Preferably the flexiblematerial from which the satchel is made is a waterproof plasticsmaterial and includes a layer of cushioning material to cushion thecontents of the satchel prior to and during deployment.

The flotation body 72 further comprises a plurality of hand grips toallow one or more people to hold onto the buoyancy device 70 for rescuepurposes when the buoyancy device 70 is in the water. In the embodiment,the hand grips are shown as one or more handles 110 spaced about anouter edge of the flotation body 72. As with the previous embodiment,the handles 110 are closed loop and formed integral to the flotationbody 72. There are four handles 110 arranged at intervals around theouter edge of the flotation body 72 for easy gripping and for attachmentof rope and accessories as required. Preferably each of the handles 110,and an outer circumferential edge of the flotation body 72, are coveredwith a rubber handgrip surface material 112, to improve the ease withwhich the handles 110 can be gripped without slipping of the hands (seealso FIGS. 19( a) and 20(a)).

Now that preferred embodiments of the buoyancy device have beendescribed in detail, it will be apparent that the embodiments provide anumber of advantages over the prior art, including the following:

-   -   (i) The incorporation of a storage compartment within the        buoyancy device enables rescue equipment or emergency equipment        to be conveniently stored in one place ready for use in an        emergency.    -   (ii) This means the buoyancy device can be launched with a        minimum of delay and with no time being lost in attempting to        locate and retrieve the various pieces of rescue and emergency        equipment.    -   (iii) The housing of the safety equipment in the storage        compartment in a central location allows the equipment to be        readily accessed and used by any person holding the buoyancy        device at any of the handles.    -   (iv) Its modular design means that manufacturing costs can be        kept to a minimum.    -   (v) The ability to extend the flotation body to an expanded        condition with handle extensions enables more people to get a        grip on the buoyancy device in an emergency by providing        additional handle space.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts thatvarious modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoingembodiments, in addition to those already described, without departingfrom the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example,in both the described embodiments the flotation body is of substantiallyrectangular configuration. However it could just as well be of circularor ellipsoid configuration. Therefore, it will be appreciated that thescope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodimentsdescribed and is to be defined by the accompanying claims.

1. A buoyancy device for use as a rescue device in water, the buoyancydevice comprising: a flotation body designed to give the buoyancy devicesufficient buoyancy to act as a life buoy for people to hold onto in thewater during an emergency; and, a storage compartment provided inconnection with the flotation body for housing rescue equipment.
 2. Abuoyancy device as defined in claim 1, wherein the flotation bodycomprises a first section and a second section, the first and secondsections being respectively manufactured from moulded plasticscomponents.
 3. A buoyancy device as defined in claim 2, wherein each ofthe first and second sections comprises an outer shell with a foaminsert.
 4. A buoyancy device as defined in claim 3, wherein the outershell comprises first and second halves which are joined together toencase the foam insert.
 5. A buoyancy device as defined in claim 4,wherein the first and second halves of the outer shell are substantiallyidentical in shape and configuration and may be manufactured using thesame injection mould.
 6. A buoyancy device as defined in claim 5,wherein the outer shell is manufactured from injection moulded nylon,and the foam insert is manufactured from a moulded closed-cell foam. 7.A buoyancy device as defined in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein thefirst and second sections are movable with respect to each other betweena contracted and an expanded condition.
 8. A buoyancy device as definedin claim 7, wherein the storage compartment is located within theflotation body and is accessed by moving the first and second sectionsapart to the expanded condition.
 9. A buoyancy device as defined in anyone of claims 2 to 6, wherein the storage compartment is located withinthe flotation body and is accessed by removing a lid covering thestorage compartment.
 10. A buoyancy device as defined in claim 9,wherein the lid is coupled to the flotation body by a tether so that, inuse, when lid is removed it does not float away.
 11. A buoyancy deviceas defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storagecompartment is centrally located within the flotation body to allow easyaccess, in use, to the storage compartment from any position around theouter edge of the flotation body by people holding onto the buoyancydevice.
 12. A buoyancy device as defined in any one claims 2 to 11,wherein the storage compartment is in the form of a rectangular traywhich is received in a cavity formed within the first and secondsections of the flotation body.
 13. A buoyancy device as defined inclaim 12, wherein the tray is provided with a web of flexible materialwhich has several pockets of various sizes provide in connectiontherewith.
 14. A buoyancy device as defined in claim 13, wherein the webof material forms a satchel which can be rolled-up and stowed in thetray ready for use in an emergency situation.
 15. A buoyancy device asdefined in claim 14, wherein a handle is provided on the back of the webto facilitate quick release of the satchel when the contents need to bedeployed.
 16. A buoyancy device as defined in any one of claims 13 to15, wherein the flexible material from which the satchel is made is awaterproof plastics material and includes a layer of cushioning materialto cushion the contents of the satchel prior to deployment.
 17. Abuoyancy device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, whereinthe buoyancy device further comprises a built-in strobe light forattracting attention in the event of an emergency.
 18. A buoyancy deviceas defined in claim 17, wherein the strobe light is mounted in thestorage compartment, together with its own battery, so that it becomesvisible when the lid is removed.
 19. A buoyancy device as defined inclaim 18, wherein the strobe light is spring-mounted in the storagecompartment and when the lid is removed it automatically pops-up.
 20. Abuoyancy device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, whereinthe flotation body further comprises a plurality of hand grips to allowone or more people to hold onto the buoyancy device for rescue purposeswhen the buoyancy device is in the water.
 21. A buoyancy device asdefined in claim 20, wherein the hand grips may also be used for storingthe buoyancy device on a support bracket provided onboard a watercraftand for handling the buoyancy device when throwing it from thewatercraft into the water.
 22. A buoyancy device as defined in claim 20,wherein the hand grips comprise one or more handles spaced about anouter edge of the flotation body.
 23. A buoyancy device as defined inclaim 1, wherein the handles are formed integral to the flotation body.24. A buoyancy device as defined in claim 23, wherein there are fourhandles arranged at intervals around the outer edge of the flotationbody.
 25. A buoyancy device as defined in claim 24, wherein the buoyancydevice is of generally rectangular shape, and two handles are positionedrespectively on two opposed sides of the flotation body.
 26. A buoyancydevice as defined in claim 7, wherein a plurality of handles are spacedabout an outer edge of the flotation body, and the handles are providedwith two extensions which join the handles on the respective first andsecond sections of the flotation body in its expanded condition.
 27. Abuoyancy device as defined in claim 26, wherein the handle extensionsare cylindrical in shape and are slidably received within a hollowinterior of the handles in the contracted condition such that in itsexpanded condition more people can hold onto the buoyancy device when inthe water.
 28. A buoyancy device as defined in any one of the precedingclaims, wherein the safety equipment that may be housed in the storagecompartment includes an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon(EPIRB), flares and emergency lighting such as a strobe.
 29. A buoyancydevice as defined in any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the storagecompartment is in the form of a bag which is received in a cavity formedwithin the first and second sections of the flotation body.
 30. Abuoyancy device as defined in claim 29, wherein the bag is a flexiblebag provided with cushioning of waterproof material.
 31. A buoyancydevice substantially as herein described with reference to and asillustrated in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.